Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Biology
Glossary
(e.g. epibenthic)

Total Length: 51 to 58 cm; Wingspan: 122 to 140 cm (Ref. 8812). Coastal; <60 km (Ref. 356). Nest of simple construction. Despite risk of thermal stress on embryos and very young chicks, nests near shores of islands to be able to more easily detect predators, provides hiding places for small chicks, and ready escape routes for larger members. Stomach contents of Mono Lake population found with osmolalities of ca. 635 mosmo/kg, like their brine shrimp prey and just 25% as concentrated as the lake water, may be attributed to minimal intake of hypersaline waters; although unnecessary in maintenance of osmotic balance, observed to habitually visit freshwater sources along lake shore (Ref. 87784). Exhibits dipping and paddling (Ref. 356).